Disappointing....
"....Each game of Chess means there's one less variation left to be played. Each day got through means one or two less mistakes left to be made......And in the end we see a game that stated by mistake in Hindustan, and boosted in the main by what is now Iran, become the simplest and most complicated pleasure yet derived for just the kind of mind who would apprecaite this well-researched and fascinating yarn." (Chess, The Musical, "The Story of Chess")
While I am truly fascinated by Chess, and its implications in life, death, and murder/mysteries such as this one, based upon the discovery of a hidden incription in an ancient painting, I was utterly disappointed by The Flanders Panel and can't recommend it. Although I am not a chess afficionado, I had no trouble understanding the references, descriptions and strategies employed throughout the novel. However I believe this novel requires a reader of somewhat elevated intelligence to even get through it. It is extremely slow and somewhat boring in its lengthy and repetitive dicta and perhaps is meant truly for chess masters who probably have much more patience than this reader
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Quote of the Day...
"Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere." - Jean Rhys
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
A MUST read for EVERYONE...
Written as an allegory or perhaps a pseudo-fable, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is one of those rare finds that enables the reader to explore familiar territory in a new way and from a different perspective.
While we have (hopefully) all read or heard countelss Holocaust tales, this one is told from a new and indeed daring viewpoint - that of the naieve nine year old son of a Nazi Commandant, who has no idea the evils and horrors surrounding him. In fact, he can't quite understand why the people on the "other side of the fence" get to wear striped pajamas and play with each other all day while he's confined in his new home at "Out-With."
This is a novel for EVERYONE- I truly believe children as well as adults will gain so much from reading it, regardles of their race, religion, nationality or background. It is short and extremely fast-paced- the average reader should be able to read it entirely within a day or two, however it will continue to haunt you and invade your thoughts for weeks on end. While some potential readers will avoid this one perhaps because it is so hard to read about the Holocaust, I can't stress highly enough that this is a "MUST READ" and one that will have you smiling and laughing along the way- a rare reaction to a story built upon the evils of the Holocaust. Furthermore, this story is not only about the Holocaust, but applies equally to all those situations in which there are groups of people on two sides of a "fence" - it is applicable to the current and past crises in Darfur, genocides throughout the ages, and even those less obvious ones found in our school yards or our own neighborhoods across the county.
Written as an allegory or perhaps a pseudo-fable, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is one of those rare finds that enables the reader to explore familiar territory in a new way and from a different perspective.
While we have (hopefully) all read or heard countelss Holocaust tales, this one is told from a new and indeed daring viewpoint - that of the naieve nine year old son of a Nazi Commandant, who has no idea the evils and horrors surrounding him. In fact, he can't quite understand why the people on the "other side of the fence" get to wear striped pajamas and play with each other all day while he's confined in his new home at "Out-With."
This is a novel for EVERYONE- I truly believe children as well as adults will gain so much from reading it, regardles of their race, religion, nationality or background. It is short and extremely fast-paced- the average reader should be able to read it entirely within a day or two, however it will continue to haunt you and invade your thoughts for weeks on end. While some potential readers will avoid this one perhaps because it is so hard to read about the Holocaust, I can't stress highly enough that this is a "MUST READ" and one that will have you smiling and laughing along the way- a rare reaction to a story built upon the evils of the Holocaust. Furthermore, this story is not only about the Holocaust, but applies equally to all those situations in which there are groups of people on two sides of a "fence" - it is applicable to the current and past crises in Darfur, genocides throughout the ages, and even those less obvious ones found in our school yards or our own neighborhoods across the county.
Act of Treason by Vince Flynn
Rapp Attack! ....
While this was only by second foray into Vince Flynn's universe (I tend to read more historical fiction), I loved it and couldn't put it down from the first paragraph. "Act of Treason" is indeed incredibly fast-paced, timely and relvant (considering the upcoming elections, terrorism, etc) and the character of Mitch Rapp fully defined and heroically intriguing. I have to agree with some other reivewers that the ending was somewhat abrupt and flat. However, taken as a whole, I loved the novel and highly recommend it for readers interested in fast-paced political espionage, or simply a quick, fun, adventurous read!
While this was only by second foray into Vince Flynn's universe (I tend to read more historical fiction), I loved it and couldn't put it down from the first paragraph. "Act of Treason" is indeed incredibly fast-paced, timely and relvant (considering the upcoming elections, terrorism, etc) and the character of Mitch Rapp fully defined and heroically intriguing. I have to agree with some other reivewers that the ending was somewhat abrupt and flat. However, taken as a whole, I loved the novel and highly recommend it for readers interested in fast-paced political espionage, or simply a quick, fun, adventurous read!
The Lost Diary of Don Juan by Douglas Carlton Abrams
Very good solid read for "lovers" of historical fiction...
For anyone interested in the infamous Don Juan, or historical fiction in general, this novel is a good solid read. While at times the seduction of Sevilla's women gets slightly repetitive, you are bound to be swept away by the honest passion of the lovers, the romantic city, or the uncertainty and mystery of the age in which Don Juan may have lived. Running across Sevillian rooftops in a black mask to escape jealous husbands and fathers, masquerading at balls, associating intimately with nuns and prostitutes, while doing everything in his power to evade the Inquisitioner, Don Juan certainly has the reader entertained from page one. However, the most turbulent dilemma he faces at the heart of this novel is whether he can in fact ever love one woman....and you'll have to read through to the end to find out!
For anyone interested in the infamous Don Juan, or historical fiction in general, this novel is a good solid read. While at times the seduction of Sevilla's women gets slightly repetitive, you are bound to be swept away by the honest passion of the lovers, the romantic city, or the uncertainty and mystery of the age in which Don Juan may have lived. Running across Sevillian rooftops in a black mask to escape jealous husbands and fathers, masquerading at balls, associating intimately with nuns and prostitutes, while doing everything in his power to evade the Inquisitioner, Don Juan certainly has the reader entertained from page one. However, the most turbulent dilemma he faces at the heart of this novel is whether he can in fact ever love one woman....and you'll have to read through to the end to find out!
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